The Pope Is The Head Of The Church

The Catholic Church makes the claim that the Pope is the head of the church, which was passed down from the Apostle Peter. They base this claim on the following text:-

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18.

When one reads this text it does seem that Jesus was saying to Peter that he was the rock that the church would be built upon. But what did Peter have to say on the subject:-

"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner." Acts 4:8-11.

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." 1 Peter 2:5-8.

The apostle Paul puts it this way:-

"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" Ephesians 2:20.

The Old Testament writers tell us:-

"Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." Deuteronomy 32:3, 4.

"There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God." 1 Samuel 2:2.

"And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; . . . For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?" 2 Samuel 22:2, 32.

It is evident from these and many other Scriptures that Christ is the Rock upon which the Christian church was built. Christ, not a man, is the head of the true church. Christ told His disciples that none of them were superior than the other, but that they were all equal (Matt. 23:8.).

As Peter was not the rock upon which the church was built, the Pope does not have any just claim to be the head of the Christian church. So what church is he the head of?

A few hundred years after the time of Christ and His disciples apostasy started to flood into the church. The true Christians were being persecuted and were fleeing to the hills for safety. In Revelation chapter 12 we see that the woman or God's church had to flee into the wilderness where the Lord sustained her for 1260 years. During the whole of this time the church was being persecuted mainly by the instigation of one power. What was that power? It was none other than the Roman Catholic Church.

So if God's church was hiding out in the wilderness from the Catholic murders, and the Pope is the head of the organisation doing the murdering, he must be the head of church which is in opposition to God's church. And who is behind the opposition to God's church or people throughout this earth's history? The answer is, of course, Satan. Therefore the Pope is not the head of God's church, but Satan's church.

(Note:- We do not condemn people of the Roman Catholic faith or any other faith for God has His people in all denominations, but we do condemn organisation and positions in those organisations that are in opposition to God, His Word, and His church or people.)

© February, 2004 by D & S Goeldner.